“What, already?” muttered the Goth. “Then indeed....”
He flung the saddle on the third horse with double haste, and then listened in breathless anxiety. Meanwhile Herodianus had gone to the door.
“Who is there?” he asked wrathfully. “Open the door,” answered a gruff voice.
“By Pluto! My master only receives visitors in the day time.”
“Open it!” repeated the voice. “In the name of the city-prefect.”[59] Herodianus just waited to make sure that the bar was fast in the staples; then he ran as quickly as he was able back to the peristyle.
“My lord, are you ready?” he said breathlessly to Aurelius, who was girding on a short sword. “The spies have come two hours too soon.”
“Then may the gods befriend us! I thought it was a messenger from Cinna....”
“No indeed—from the city-prefect. Hark, they are shaking the house to the foundations....”
“I will speak to them,” said Aurelius. “Do you meanwhile arm yourself and see whether the road by the garden door is clear. As soon as you are ready, give me a signal.”
Herodianus flung the valuables they had packed, and five or six bags of coin, into a large leather sack, which lay on the floor; then he hurried into the garden, gave the sack over to Magus, who swung it lightly over his shoulder, bid him mount, and, with cautious steps, went to reconnoitre from the side gate. Aurelius had gone out into the ostium, which was still being shaken with the blows at the door.